Camp Jinka couldn't exist without it's Extremely Dedicated Staff!
Jessie Chism, Camp Director
Jessie Lynn Chism serves as the Arts & Education Coordinator, for Foundations that Matter. She is responsible for the operations of all of creative family programs offered by the David S. Zocchi Brain Tumor Center at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ. She specifically oversees the C3 art classes and family workshops, C3 art exhibits and is the Camp Director for Camp Jinka. Mrs. Chism is also the Community Manager for the on-line social media component of the family programs.
She has a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Indiana. She has taught grade school in Indiana and New Jersey. In addition, she has tutored students and assisted in art activities and exhibits for children's and social service groups throughout NY and NJ.
Ms. Chism is the daughter of a brain tumor survivor. She first became involved with the brain tumor support activities by volunteering. She brings a great deal of compassion and understanding to the programs she runs for the Center.
Peggy Berin, Assistant Camp Director
This is my second year participating in the Camp Jinka experience. I believe that this camp improves the lives of the all who are involved. I know it has made an enormous difference in my own life. I received an Associate’s Degree from Brookdale Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Kean University with a major in Science Education. I have been teaching in many different capacities for the past 15 years.
I have a love of learning and truly enjoy teaching children. In addition to meeting my student’s cognitive needs, I support their physical and emotional growth. I feel that every teacher has the opportunity to teach their students how to react to life. Gaining positive strategies, both for learning and social situations will help children as they grow and develop.
Currently I am teaching Math and Science at Sacred Heart School in South Amboy.
I live in Middletown, where I am a lifelong resident and am a mother of five grown children, and proud grandmother of three beautiful granddaughters.
Tim Kelly, Art instructor & Camp counselor
Tim teaches art at Camp Jinka. His art workshops are called,
"Art is Good," which are about "art and you".
Tim was born an artist and raised at the New Jersey Shore. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Fine Arts from West Virginia University in 1993. He now lives, works, and makes art in Brooklyn.
The Art is Good philosophy is the embodiment of Tim's beliefs about art
and life. He truly believes that everyone is an artist. Art is Good was
created to help people easily make artwork that means something
(or nothing) to them personally. The true measure of the creative workshops is if it helps people to continue to create art for the rest of their lives…
So far it has.
Lisa Aldorasi, Camp Administrator
Lisa Aldorasi has been in business administration since 1994. She has 10 years of experience in the legal field and five years in children’s publishing.
She graduated from Stuart School of Business administration and is the mother of three wonderful boys.
